Company Wants To Build Warehouse

April 06, 1998

TORRINGTON — Konover Development Corp. of West Hartford wants to build a B.J.'s Wholesale Warehouse on the site of the old Star's Department Store on East Main Street.

The company, which owns the building, has applied to the zoning board of appeals for a variance of setback requirements. Under zoning rules, there must be a 25-foot buffer between the project and the nearby Georgetown Gardens apartments. Konover has submitted a plan with only a 10-foot setback and is seeking a variance of 15 feet.

``Due to an unusual boundary line and lot configuration . . . relief from the residential buffer requirement is requested to allow redevelopment consistent with the use permitted in the underlying zone,'' Konover's John Larson wrote in the application to the zoning board of appeals.

The board will hear Konover's request at its April 13 meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.

According to plans Konover filed with the city planner, the Star's building would be torn down and two new stores built. One would be 6,000 square feet. The B.J.'s would be 68,160 square feet.